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President's budget brings back NASA science cuts

The President's Budget Request for fiscal year 2027 calls for $18.8 billion in NASA spending, a $5.6 billion cut.

Aerospace

NASA is looking at another potential funding hit.Why it matters: Cuts to NASA science initiatives could have a big impact locally because North Alabama is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the largest recipients" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/23/nasa-science-funding-huntsville-alabama-congress-budget" data-vars-content-id="eeafa5de-5ab4-4de5-9c45-eac8ee240ecd" data-vars-headline="President&#x27;s budget brings back NASA science cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/23/nasa-science-funding-huntsville-alabama-congress-budget" target="_self">one of the largest recipients</a> of annual NASA funding awards.

Wikipedia founder says trust is broken — here's how to rebuild it

Jimmy Wales wants us to trust each other.

Culture

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales wants us to trust. Why it matters: Trust in institutions, and in each other, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has reached crisis levels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edelman.com/newsroom/richard-edelmans-6am-blog/insularity-next-crisis-trust" data-vars-content-id="34975853-8000-4b43-a9fa-a194d9bd7e1b" data-vars-headline="Wikipedia founder says trust is broken — here&#x27;s how to rebuild it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edelman.com/newsroom/richard-edelmans-6am-blog/insularity-next-crisis-trust" target="_blank">has reached crisis levels</a>, and the consequences are rippling into every aspect of modern life. <ul><li>&quot;I think we&#x27;ve kind of hit something close to a rock bottom,&quot; Wales, a Huntsville native, told Axios.</li></ul>

$50M Lewter District project takes shape downtown

The project includes the repurposing of the Lewter Hardware building and the construction of a five-story office building and 14 luxury townhomes.

Business

Developers are preparing to cut the ribbon on the 1.5-acre Lewter District in Huntsville.Why it matters: An effort that began with repurposing the historic Lewter Hardware building is now aiming to establish a mixed-use area downtown.

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

The sprawling mixed-use development has launched its official website.

Business Brief

The Residences at Front Row is getting ready to sign its first leases for a targeted June move-in date. Why it matters: The sprawling mixed-use development under construction across from the Von Braun Center has been years in the making and is expected to help transform that &quot;gateway&quot; into downtown.

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

The grand opening of Ikea's first Alabama location is on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Development

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="months of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">months of</a> anticipation, Ikea opens Wednesday on University Drive. Why it matters: Ranking high among Huntsville&#x27;s most-wanted retailers, Ikea is bringing its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller-format store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" target="_blank">smaller-format store</a> to the Rocket City, targeting the rapidly growing area for its first store in Alabama.

Exclusive: MidCity unveils major expansion with new music venue and tech hub

In plans shared first with Axios, developer RCP Companies plans to build a new music venue, two hotels, a tech campus and more.

MidCity will build a new music venue, two hotels, a tech campus and more as part of a $300 million, 12-acre expansion.Why it matters: The public-private partnership is defining what mixed-use developments in Huntsville can be: an &quot;18-hour district,&quot; where people can find an apartment, start a new company or catch a show.

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Eli Lilly plans to start work next year on a facility that will produce orforglipron, officials announced Tuesday in Huntsville.

Eli Lilly chose Huntsville for its newest manufacturing plant — a $6 billion project and the largest single-site investment in Alabama history.Why it matters: The project aims to transform Huntsville, and the state, into a world leader in biopharma manufacturing.

The how and why of Huntsville's annexation spree

Huntsville has added 2,257 acres in annexations this year, per city data.

Huntsville is growing quickly — not only in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/25/huntsville-population-growth-trend" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/25/huntsville-population-growth-trend" target="_self">population</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="employment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/21/huntsville-drone-facility-pdw-defense-tech-us-military" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/21/huntsville-drone-facility-pdw-defense-tech-us-military" target="_self">employment</a>, but in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="square footage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/07/10/council-weighs-1-000-acre-annexation-tonight" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/07/10/council-weighs-1-000-acre-annexation-tonight" target="_self">square footage</a>. Why it matters: The city has added 2,257 acres in annexations this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per city data" data-vars-click-url="https://maps.huntsvilleal.gov/server/rest/services/Boundaries/CityAnnexationsByYear/MapServer" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://maps.huntsvilleal.gov/server/rest/services/Boundaries/CityAnnexationsByYear/MapServer" target="_blank">per city data</a>, making it larger in land area than Chicago and raising questions about city services and strategy.

Are Huntsville homeowners "locked in?"

Huntsville's housing market sees a surge in listings as sellers adjust to a new normal in mortgage rates.

Real Estate

One bright spot in this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bummer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/housing-home-sales-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="7abfb23a-f674-44c8-a869-6df631cbd20c" data-vars-headline="Are Huntsville homeowners &quot;locked in?&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/housing-home-sales-mortgage-rates" target="_self">bummer</a> housing market: More listings are shaking loose.Why it matters: Some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeowners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" data-vars-content-id="7abfb23a-f674-44c8-a869-6df631cbd20c" data-vars-headline="Are Huntsville homeowners &quot;locked in?&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" target="_self">homeowners</a> sitting on low mortgage rates are finally selling, including in Huntsville, where inventory is on the rise.

Real Estate 🏠

$50M Lewter District project takes shape downtown

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

Exclusive: MidCity unveils major expansion with new music venue and tech hub

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant